Class Notes

Class Notes shares the achievements and milestones of alumni of Pennsylvania College of Technology and its predecessors, Williamsport Area Community College and Williamsport Technical Institute.

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  • Deborah (Bower) Dawes, 1975

    ornamental horticulture technology: floriculture

    Deborah is a retired elementary school teacher and a semi-retired owner of Wildlife Habitat Nursery. The nursery comprises five production greenhouses specializing in wetland and riparian native plants that are delivered to local agencies, such as the Nez Perce and Couer d'Alene tribes, as well as many other state and federal agencies for restoration of salmon and native habitat near the Northwest's rivers, streams and lakes. She operates the nursery with her husband and son, along with six employees. She also has a grown daughter, and her first grandchild is expected in February. They have resided in Princeton, Idaho, since 1977, where Deborah enjoys quilting, camping and delivering the nursery's plants.

  • Megan Finnen, 2019

    forest technology

    Megan is a forest technician for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. She resides in Sweet Valley.

  • Ian

    Ian Hoffman, 2013

    ornamental horticulture: landscape technology emphasis

    Ian is working at Byllye Lanes during the winter months, providing counter support and mechanical support in the back of the bowling alley. He resides in Bradford and got engaged on Oct. 7, 2021.

  • Kyle Rhoads, 2005

    manufacturing engineering technology

    Kyle is an operations manager for TE Connectivity. He resides in Harrisburg and was married to Megan on July 22, 2021. They have a daughter, Everleigh.

  • Dottie Habovick, 2021

    individual studies

    Dottie is a human resources specialist-compensation analyst for Penn State. She resides in Bellefonte.

  • Chris Holdridge, 1992

    construction carpentry

    Chris is a superintendent for Milnes Companies. He resides in Wyalusing.

  • James Dailey, 2020

    building construction technology and concrete science technology

    James is a self-employed concrete contractor. He resides in Williamsport.

  • Dustin Bailey, 2016

    building science and sustainable design: architectural technology

    Dustin is a senior architectural designer for Studio Hillier, working directly under renowned architect J. Robert Hillier. He resides in Hightstown, N.J., where he and fiancee Onolee Oberrender '16, graphic design, recently purchased their first home. A September 2022 wedding is planned. Oberrender founded an independent graphic design firm, Kindly Creative.

  • Troy Stair, 2019

    welding and fabrication engineering technology

    Troy is a weld manufacturing engineer for Astec Industries, which manufactures equipment for asphalt road building, aggregate processing and concrete production. He resides in Chattanooga, Tenn.

  • Heather Pfirman, 2021

    human services and restorative justice

    Heather is a unit clerk for UPMC Williamsport. She resides in Williamsport.

  • Brian Harpster, 1993

    electronics technology: fiber optic/communication

    Brian is a senior quality engineer/laser safety officer for II-VI Inc. He is responsible for worldwide customer engineering support for opto-electronic amplifiers and network devices. He's also the laser safety officer for the research and development laboratory. He received a bachelor's in electrical engineering from Alfred University in 2002. He resides in Painted Post, N.Y.

  • Tiana

    Tiana Rawls-White, 2021

    applied management

    Tiana is a caregiver for Shared Support Inc. She was the Fall 2021 commencement speaker and founded the college's Black Student Union. She resides in Northumberland.

  • Richard Norgard, 2013

    Technology Management

    Richard is the owner/operator of RN Woodworks LLC. He resides in Toms River, N.J.

  • Ariel

    Ariel Torstrup, 2021

    nursing

    Ariel is a registered nurse for UPMC. She resides in Williamsport.

  • Gary Obert, 1986

    service and operation of heavy construction equipment

    Gary is a senior regional director, finance, for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. He resides in Arlington, Va.

  • Shaun

    Shaun Slimmer, 2002

    computer-aided product and systems design

    Shaun is the Mid-Atlantic business development manager - defense & space for Carlisle Interconnect Technologies. He finds new opportunities in the defense and space market for the company's radio frequency/digital interconnect capabilities. He resides in Keymar, Md., with his wife, Sabrina '01, physical fitness specialist, and their two daughters. They will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in March 2022.

  • Paul Hitesman, 1981

    forest technology

    Paul is a training manager for Wood Mode LLC. He received a bachelor's in technology management from Penn College in 2003 and resides in Allenwood.

  • Paul Catalano, 1981

    nursery management

    Paul is manager of grounds maintenance for Yale University. He manages 300-plus acres with union staff. He resides in Branford, Conn.

  • Joel Steppe, 2011

    forest technology

    Joel is a horticulturalist for Penn College at the Earth Science Center campus. He resides in Jersey Shore.

  • Patrick Cullop, 2008

    diesel technology

    Patrick is an electrical apprentice for Freestate Electrical Service Co. He resides in Monrovia, Md.

  • Eric Burson, 1994

    heavy construction equipment technician

    Eric is a materials supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. He oversees the testing of physical properties of all cement products approved for use by PennDOT, as well as specialized testing for new cement products submitted for approval. He resides in Kulpmont.

  • Kenneth Ritter, 1973

    service and operation of heavy construction equipment

    Kenneth is retired. He's been married for 43 years and has two children and four grandchildren. He resides Coopersburg.

  • David Heggenstaller, 1972

    diesel technology

    David is a retired sergeant first class in the Army. He was a maintenance supervisor/platoon sergeant. He resides in Pleasant Gap.

  • Gregory Wentz, 1980

    service and operation of heavy construction equipment

    Gregory is a quality assurance inspector for KME Fire Apparatus. He resides in Lehighton.

  • George Barrett, 1973

    forest technology

    George is retired and resides in Ewing Township, N.J.

  • Stanley

    Stanley Geiswhite, 1982

    forest technology

    Stanley is a local LTL (less than truckload) driver for Estes Express. He resides in Northumberland.

  • Dave Cole, 2006

    forest technology

    Dave is a forester for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry. He is a service forester for Mercer and Lawrence counties and was named Service Forester of the Year in 2017. He resides in Greenville and is studying and working to develop a garlic farm based on regenerative agriculture methods of enhancing soil health.

  • Kyle Johnson, 2009

    heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis

    Kyle is a lowboy driver for City Hill Construction. He resides in Clifton Springs, N.Y.

  • Michael McNamara, 1976

    floriculture

    Michael is a horticulturalist for Spring Lake Golf Club.  He holds a certificate from DuPage Horticultural School (1977) and a bachelor's in agriculture from South Dakota State University (1988). He resides in Toms River, N.J., and is fighting myelodysplastic syndrome cancer.

  • Greg Dangle, 2011

    diesel technician

    Greg is a diesel technician for Ground Shaker Motorsports. He resides in Williamsport.

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